Cars, trains, boats & motorbikes.
I have found often one needs to use a combination of transport to get around quickly. All of the methods best dovetail in with the Skytrain (BTS) It's an overhead rail system covering around 14 kilometres of Bangkok with further expansion underway. From my part of Bangkok we take a taxi to the memorably named "Mo Chit" Station then Skytrain from there. Often a boat ride up the river is also preferable to the traffic.
Taxis are inexpensive and for the most part good. 10 kilometres will cost you around 70 baht ! Some cabs are pretty old but there are moves to get some of them off the road. If you booked a cab, 20 baht over the meter is the norm. The first scary thing I experienced was the cab turning into a small Soi late at night. However, rather than a setup as I feared, they like to cut through small Sois. As in many other countries, don't get out of the cab before the driver if you have a boot full of luggage and he is in the driver's seat with the engine running ! A friend pulled in to a small shop to buy himself and the driver a beer one night, the cab took off with all his gear including Passport and camera. Note also, Thai girls are very wary of taking cabs at night alone. Most drivers however, are very good. My wife told one guy I drive in Bangkok so at the next set of lights he started to get out of the driver's seat to see me drive ! I declined. Just as well, after that he told us his clutch was shot. I always tip the drivers, most of them deserve it in my opinion.
Motorcycle taxis are good for short distances but not for the faint hearted. A friend of mine when he visits has a rider he knows and pays him extra so he can ride the bike.
Driving is ok if you are used to big crazy cities. I liken driving in Bangkok to driving in Italy. The big lookout is for all the motorcycles. If they see you changing lanes and there's a gap a least a metre wide they will blast straight through it ! Don't drive an uninsured car !!!!! If asking, check they understand you mean comprehensive insurance. I have read here that if you have an accident you stop where you are and call the insurance company. If you have no insurance you most likely get to stay in the Police Station until you hand over the money to repair the other car. Story goes that the Police will assess the amount on the spot. Also, this isn't the wild west. The Thai police have speed cameras. I think I now know why all the speeding vehicles stay bumper to bumper ! Also, where limits aren't signposted, out of town 90 kilometres per hour is the limit. Seat belts are mandatory in the front of the vehicle. Leaning on the horn is not ok nor are rude gestures. If you do stuff like that you might just find the wrong type one day and get a bullet in your head ! We have been through checkpoints for seatbelt checks, licence checks and registration checks.
The river boats are great, very cheap and you get to see some of the best sights of Bangkok. Evening dinner cruises are inexpensive and worthwhile also. The one we chose included pickup and dropoff from our apartment in a nice airconditioned car. Last year it was about 1400 baht per head. BUT, they get you on the alcohol !
